A/N: Please read this note, would you kindly?
EDIT: Fixed some mistakes and expanded a few scenes to improve the chapter Hope you enjoy~!
First and foremost, I've got an optional soundtrack for this chapter. Or rather, Balerion does. "Targaryen Theme (Epic Version) by Samuel Kim." Fits his entrance in King's Landing perfectly. Feel free to listen to it if you wish, or if you don't. Now then...
Still dealing with -what I assume to be- a chest/sinus infection, and its driving me mad. Hurts to breathe sometimes.
I'll be fine one moment, then a coughing spasm wrecks me in the next. Blech. No one can figure out what's wrong.
But onto other matters:
In all honesty, the absolute DELUGE of feedback made these rapid updates possible this month. I need to get back to RWBY after this, depending on what folks want to see. Many were demanding the next chapter early, so here we are~! Hopefully this chapter gets some good feedback here; that determines its update schedule, after all. God of War and other categories are being worked on as well, they just need a bit more polish as it were.
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws nearer, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. The recent earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular/well-received...well, I won't be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs, holidays are here too, meaning I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
No questions this time, only story. Its a doozy~!
Alright, I've kept you long enough. Here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOT! A! THING!
They're all tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me. Now then..
Yet again, warnings for language and the like. This is Game of Thrones after all...
"It was that moment that truly defined the Dance of Dragons. Whose, you ask? Why, my little dears! How could you ask such a thing?
Let us not spoil the story. Now where were we? Ah, yes.
The Black Dread descended upon King's Landing...
~?
Long May He Reign
"DRAGON!"
Naruto never knew who shouted it; only that someone did; soon enough the cry was on everyone's lips, ripping through the capital like a bout of summer fever. Frankly he didn't give a damn. Let the lords and ladies shout and wail. They could soil their drawers for all he cared. He only had eyes for the massive shadow winging its way toward the walls of the Red Keep.
And what a shadow it was.
Balerion was even larger than he remembered and thrice as loud; his very roar rattled the world; enough to make a man deaf if he wasn't careful. How did a dragon get that big and stay alive? How were his organs even functioning at such a size? Vhagar herself was likely half his length and that was being generous.
The Black Dread must have noticed him at some point; because he swooped down to greet him.
Swooping was usually bad for the swoopee, less so the swooper, but today he found it a good thing, a very good thing indeed. Heh. By the log he was getting too giddy for his own good. But he just couldn't help it! This was like meeting a long lost friend after a great journey. There could be nothing better.
Balerion swooped lower still to meet him, circling the walls. This close, he couldn't help but marvel at him. He was the same Size as Kurama, maybe a little larger. His scales were like tenfold shields, his teeth were swords, his claws spears, and the shock of his tail a thunderbolt that left every lord and lady flinching. His very wings threatened to stir up a hurricane, and his breath...
.
..
Right on cue the lord of dragons threw his head back and screamed a pillar of fire unto the heavens.
...death.
Here I am. he seemed to say. Where are you?
And so he raised his right arms high to greet his old friend. "Here! I'm right here!"
Remarkably. Balerion heard him. He'd never seen a dragon turn in the air so fast. One last circle brought him low to the walls. His claws swept out as he came in for a landing.
Alicent yelped and ducked behind him. The dragon paid her no mind. He only had eyes for him.
Naruto kept waving, smiling, grinning like he never had before. "That's right! Down here!"
Balerion didn't so much strike the wall as he collide with it; his massive talons flexed and gripped stone; a good bit of which crumbled beneath him. The very act of his descent created a shockwave felt through the whole of King's Landing. He himself had to reach back and around himself to catch Alicent lest she fall. A few unlucky nobles fell to their deaths then and there as their footing fell away. More fools they. He imagined the folk of Flea Bottom looking up to see the Black Dread and smiled a little. This would be a sight everyone carried with them to their dying day.
And then his old friend was upon him and he had no further thought for such things.
Mighty jaws parted in a world-shattering roar; blasting his hair backward.
Naruto stood strong in the face of it; knowing it for a test.
He only smiled.
Sure enough the scream fell silent. The Black Dread furled his wings and surged forward, all but thrusting his massive face at him. Naruto caught his snout with both hands and hugged it pressing his forehead against dark scales to brace himself. He laughed and idly ran a hand beneath the beast's jaw, scratching his chin as one might a large cat. A pleased trill came from his dear friend.
"Its been...a long while." he sighed. "How have you been?"
A massive tongue flitted out and licked him from head to toe.
"Ha! I missed you, too." Naruto laughed despite the drool. "Good to see you!"
Balerion nudged him again. Anyone else would've been knocked clear off their feet.
"I have come at the promised time to fulfill my debt." For a moment, he could've sworn he heard a deep voice inside his head. "Command me. I shall burn your enemies."
Was he hearing things? Dragons didn't talk. Caraxes didn't, and Syrax certainly hadn't. Even old Vermithor hadn't spoken to him-
"COMMAND ME."
Okay, he definitely wasn't imagining that! "How in the hell...?
"You gave me your life force that day. We are one. Command me."
Huh. Neat. It felt surprisingly...nice to have a voice in his head again, strange as that might sound. He'd grown lonely in Kurama's absence. Balerion was no true replacement for him, but it made him feel a little less alone in the world. He could hardly tell anyone he was talking to a dragon, -they'd think him mad- yet it was nice to have someone in his corner again.
"It matters not. Come. We will fly now."
...wait a second."
Alicent still quavered behind them, staring at the ground. Now that just wouldn't do.
Naruto turned halfway towards her and held out one palm. "Give me your hand. Slowly now."
She dithered, gaze flicking between him and Balerion, back to him now. "I don't think that's wise."
"You trust me, don't you?"
A gulp. "...yes."
Slowly, tentatively, she put trembling fingers in his. He kissed her knuckles, reveled in her blush, then guided her hand to the right side of Balerion's face. He held it there. A giant eye there swiveled down to regard her. Dilated a little now as he looked on. The Dread inhaled deeply, tasting her scent, coming to know her as he did him. A low noise rumbled from the beasts throat. Nervous laughter tumbled from his lady's lips, high and anxious, but she did not pull away. He wondered what the ancient wyrm might be thinking in this moment.
...curious."
Could dragons laugh?
Why did it sound like Balerion was laughing?!
(.0.0.0.)
Why had his Rider brought this female before him?
Balerion scowled and inhaled deeply, tasting her scent, trying to comprehend. Aha. He understood now. This must be the man's mate. Doubtless she was First, even if he saw no sign of any Second. She carried his scent on her and stuck close to him as any true partner would. More than that, she showed proper deference and respect. This one was wise to fear him. He hated the arrogant ones. Just as there could be no life without death, so too there could be no strength without fear, no power without weakness. She had all three of things.
Very well! He nuzzled her and rumbled his approval, both for her and any future hatchlings she might produce.
And then he heard a new voice.
"Gods be good...
(.0.0.0.)
Viserys approached.
He did so slowly with tentative steps, Blackfyre in hand, not trusting the weak ground underfoot, neither wishing to ruin the moment...nor provoke the behemoth before him. He had known Balerion wasn't yet dead; of course he knew. However weak their bond might have become over the years, he would've felt it if the Black Dread died. A small part of him hoped he would've stayed away. His presence had thrown all of King's Landing into disarray. The smallfolk had not feared dragons overmuch before; they would now with HIS return.
When he'd last seen Balerion, he had been old and tired. Near death. Now?
He'd never looked more alive.
Larger, too.
For him to arrive mere moments after his nephew's ascension; there could be no doubt. This was a sign from the gods, surely. The Lords and Ladies of Westeros would doubtless take it as such; they might even think this was planned. It wasn't, but the beginning of his nephew's speech certainly made it seem as such. Rumors would fly thick and fast after today.
They'd have to make a space for Balerion if he was to stay in King's Landing again; not to mention find sufficient food to feed such a monstrosity. The logistics of such an endeavor threatened to make his head spin. The dragonkeepers would be absolutely beside themselves with worry. Gods forbid any eggs that might follow...
But that was neither here nor there. He had a dragon to greet, perhaps even claim again if Balerion allowed it.
"Gods be good," he raised his voice at the last to make his presence known; the last thing he wanted was to spook this magnificent creature. "Why have you come here? Its been so long...
Naruto turned, blanching. "Uncle, I wouldn't-
Too little, too late.
Balerion caught his scent and reared back with frightful speed, far faster than a creature his size had any right to be. In a heartbeat Viserys found himself face to face with the Dread himself. He watched that scaled snout peel back, massive fangs flashing like swords in the sunlight. Something deep inside him quailed at the sight. A single bite could snap him clean in half. And still Balerion snarled at him, a deep rumbling sound that seemed to go on forever, building higher and higher-
Until he roared.
The very air around him burst, blasting his hair and robes back. Such strength! balked and slammed Blackfyre down against the ground edge first to steady himself. It was not enough. His nephew had somehow stood his ground without flinching. Viserys was not nearly so brave. He stumbled back under the sheer force of the Dread's scream and fell to a knee, clinging to his sword for dear life.
A voice echoed in his mind like a great gong, an almighty thunderclap. "UNWORTHY!"
Had he imagined that word just now? Surely he must have.
He did not, however, imagine Balerion turning away.
Dragons could not speak -surely not!- but the dismissal was all too clear. He'd seen this happen twice before in the past to others. Dragons chose their riders; when they became dissatisfied with those they selected, they often picked another. Sometimes the old rider was lucky enough to escape unscathed. Others...were not. He'd watched a man try to reclaim a dragon that rejected him once. Once. Never again. Viserys had no doubt his former mount could've killed him in that moment. Yet he was spared. The message was anything but subtle.
Out with the old, in with the new.
He'd never thought such a thing would happen to him. Not here. Not like this. Worse, all of King's Landing had likely seen that spectacle. Those who hadn't would know soon enough. He didn't want to imagine what insults they might whisper behind his back now.
The Unworthy, they could call him. He who was rejected by Balerion himself, in full view of the Red Keep.
"I...yield." the words pained him, physically took a piece from his very soul as he climbed back to his feet. "I yield Balerion to you, nephew."
Just as he would one day yield Blackfyre to him upon his death.
Naruto winced. "I'm sorry..."
"Don't be." he forced himself to smile, when in truth he wanted to weep. "Dragons choose their riders. Balerion has chosen you, today, of all days. This is a good omen." Alicent dithered behind his nephew and he granted her a small chuckle. "I'm sure this has been quite the memorable day for you both."
Otto's daughter sketched a curtsy. Odd. Balerion seemed downright docile in her presence. "...it has, your Grace."
Your Grace. the thought drew a bitter sigh from Viserys. For how much longer? He wouldn't be surprised if the realm grew restless after this. It mattered not. His heir -his succession!- was now secure. Of that much he had no doubt. Only a fool would dare stand against him now. Any who tried would suffer for it. T'would be the Field of Fire all over again. But there would be worse trials ahead.
Who would he marry, he wondered? He could see how close Alicent was with him. Otto would be overjoyed. In a single stroke, his bloodline could be seated on the Iron Throne.
Would lord Corlys try to shove little Laena at him? She was so young.
And then there was Rhaenyra.
Gods above, he'd need to speak with his daughter after this. If she hadn't been angry before, she would be seething now. Their family's greatest dragon had just been wrested out from under him. He would have to make her see that. If he failed to do so...no. He must not fail here. It felt as if the entire realm balanced upon a knife's edge; to teeter one way or another would surely send the all plummeting into the fires of war.
Balerion stirred behind them and laid his head down beside Naruto. A giant eye fixed upon him. The gesture was clear.
"Go on." Viserys shooed Naruto toward him. "He's waiting for you."
Well, no time like the present.
As he looked on his nephew approached Balerion. The black dread remained still as he scaled his...well, scales to reach the crest of his neck. The lad had plenty of dragon riding experience with Caraxes, he was no stranger to the art of flight. This was hardly any different for him. Just larger. F
In no time at all he sat upon his back. But they didn't take flight.
He looked to Alicent. She looked back. He kept staring at her.
"Well?" he grinned down at her. "Care to join me?"
She winced. "I really shouldn't."
"You really should."
Alicent looked to him for guidance.
Viserys granted her a nod. "Go on. He's waiting."
Something solidified in her face and she made to approach the Black Dread. Slowly at first, then with increasing boldness when the dark dragon made no move against her. She clamored up Balerion's neck, using his scales for handholds awkwardly, faltering a few times until Naruto caught her hand halfway and slung her up after him. She latched onto his back for dear life, clinging to his waist, burying her head against his shoulder for some semblance of comfort. Viserys didn't miss the way her chin came down over his shoulder, nor the way he whispered to her and the flush that followed.
Oh yes, Otto would be elated.
His nephew barked a command in High Valyrian.
Balerion came alive again in an instant; raising his massive bulk off the wall. Mighty wings beat once, twice, thrice and away they went, soaring over the capital. Viserys watched them go.
"Be good to him." he whispered softly, the words lost under his breath. "He will need you in the days to come."
Gods above, he was so tired. Shaking his head, the weary monarch limped back to the Red Keep.
There were plans to be made and a feast to prepare.
(0.0.0.)
Alicent clung on for dear life as the world fell away below her.
How did anyone do this?! She felt sick to her stomach; each beat of Balerion's wings rattled her teeth; it was all she could to do hold onto Naruto as the world hurtled by them. Even now wicked momentum pressed down against her, threatening to tear off Balerion's back if her grip slackened even for an instant.
"This is madness!" her cry was lost to the winds.
Naruto only laughed. "Almost there, now!"
"Almost where?!"
He barked a command in Valyrian, one she barely understood, even with her lessons.
Higher they went now. Higher still.
They hit a cloudbank soon thereafter and fear got the better of Alicent again. She squeezed her eyes shut against the misty haze that followed. Was he flying her into a storm? Had he lost his mind?! Ohhh, she knew this was a bad idea. What was she thinking, riding on dragonback?! Madness and misery, the lot of it! This was terrifying!
All too soon she felt the sun upon her face again. Momentum fell away, leaving her feeling oddly weightless. Even then she didn't dare peek.
"We're here." Naruto's voice tugged her out of her misery. "Take a look."
Alicent reluctantly dared to open her eyes. She immediately wished she'd done so sooner; for the sight before her stole her very breath away. An endless blue expanse sprawled before her and beneath Balerion's back. In between the beats of his wings she glimpsed a misty white haze below. Clouds, she realized. Those where clouds. They were above the clouds themselves. The sun blazed above, gentle and warm. It was just the three of them, lost in their own little world.
A tear ran down her eye. She couldn't find the words.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Naruto's words tugged her back to reality. "Its nice and quiet up here. You're the only person I've ever shown this to."
"It really is."
This was too much.
Just...just far too much for her to bear.
Alicent couldn't control herself any longer. Not up here.
She touched one hand to Naruto's cheek, gently steering his face around to meet hers. He resisted a little at first-not quite comprehending what she intended. He caught on quickly. A hand came up to cup her cheek in turn, idly stroking her face.
Her eyes met his.
His own flicked down to her mouth.
She leaned in and, she pressed her lips to his.
Softly at first, then with hunger when he didn't respond. He stiffened for all of an instant, then his hands were on her waist, drawing her close, pulling her off Balerion's back and into his lap, kissing her fiercely with years of repressed passion. Not enough. Not close enough. She needed more than this. Alicent flung her arms around his neck and held tight, welding her body to his and clinging to him for dear life, trusting in him to hold her; to protect her up here and keep her safe. No one could see them up here. None could know. Alicent reveled in the freedom of it all. Here in this moment, the world consisted only of the two of them. No words were said. None were needed.
Her heart soared higher than any dragon ever could.
She never wanted to come down.
Never ever.
(.0.0.0.)
Otto watched Balerion soar down out of the clouds.
And in that moment...he knew. Somehow, he just knew.
A wry smile touched his bearded face."Well done, daughter."
(.0.0.0.)
Little Laena watched them fly.
Someday she would have a dragon of her own.
She swore she would. Swore by the old gods and the new.
(.0.0.0.)
A space was soon cleared for Balerion near the dragon pit.
He would never live in it of course; he was much too large; he would have to dwell without.
Just as well, too, his presence riled the other dragons. Had he dwelt there with them, there might've been some...complications. Casualties. Lots of them.
Remarkably, the dread lord surprised them all. He settled down quite peacefully.
Now he waited for his Sister.
(.0.0.0.)
Rhaenyra corned him during the feast.
Naruto knew an argument was brewing the moment he laid eyes on his cousin; one look at her eyes was all it took to see the storm within. He was suddenly inordinately grateful Alicent had slipped off somewhere with her father-if only because it spared her having to see this. To his credit, he tried to avoid her at first. He wanted to speak with her afterward, not here where they might be overheard.
No such luck. She caught him at a window and grabbed his arm. He felt her fingernails bite into his wrist.
"You must be terribly proud of yourself."
And here we go. He took a long drink from the goblet in his hand, draining the wine within down to the last drop. Only then did he turn to face her. "Where's this coming from?"
"Don't play coy with me." she lifted her chin to glare at him. "You took my father's dragon."
He tore his arm from her grasp. "Did I?"
"You did!" she at slapped his chest, drawing a sigh form him. she was angry, downright livid, and hers was a fiery rage. Always had been.
"Your father only ever rode him once." he countered calmly, refusing to rise to the bait. "A long time ago, as a prince, not a king, before you or I were even born."
"That doesn't change-
"You saw what happened." No, he wouldn't give her a change to rally. "He came here and went for me. What was I to do? Say no? I'd like to live, thank-you-very-much."
"So he did." she crossed both arms before her chest. "Why?"
He couldn't give that answer to her; not without giving himself away. She wouldn't believe him anyway. "..."
"Not going to answer? Fine." she growled at him. "Father chose you as his heir. What did you say to convince him?"
Anger reared its ugly head. "Convince-you think I asked for this?" He rounded on her, incredulous. "I didn't ask for this. For any of it."
"No," she cooed with a saccharine smile, "It must be such a burden to be Heir."
"It is!"
"What do you know?!" she stood on the very tips of her toes to drive a finger into his chest and glare at him, fighting for every inch to make herself seem taller. "You're a boy! Everything you ever had was gifted to you on a silver platter."
"You don't mean that." he planted a hand on her shoulder to push her back down. "You just lost your mother. You're in mourning, so I'll let that slide."
"It doesn't change what you did!"
"We do not control the dragons, Rhaenyra." Calm. She was lashing out blindly. He wouldn't do the same. "They choose us. They tolerate us. Allow us to ride them. We are not their masters. They are our friends.
"She whirled away. You sound like my father."
"Then I'm speaking sense." he countered. "I took this role to spare you.
"Spare me?" It was the wrong thing to say and he realized it too late; because she bridled and bared her teeth at him like the dragon she was at heart. "From what?"
"From the realm!" his temper slipped its leash for a moment before he wrestled it back under control. "This is the most dangerous seat in all the world." Heavy is the head that wears the crown, heavy indeed. "It is not a prize, no matter what you might think."
"And what do you think of me?"
He blinked. Where had that come from? "I think you're overreacting."
"Alicent, then." she rallied with a dangerous gleam in her eye. "Tell me What you think of her."
Her lips on his as they rode Balerion, warm breath against his face, hands threaded to through his hair...
Oh, no, no, no. He saw that trap a mile away. No way was he stepping on it. "I think she's a good friend; someone I can rely on."
Her eyes narrowed and she planted one first on her hip. "Is that all you think?"
Rhaenyra wasn't making a lick of sense. He said as much. "You're not making any sense! What do you want me to say?"
"I want-no, nevermind. You've clearly had too much to drink tonight." Pain flashed across her face before it went blank again. "I wish you good fortune, cousin. Enjoy your feast."
Naruto grabbed for her shoulder, reeling her back in before she could bolt. "Rhaenyra, wait-
She went absolute berserk and squirmed out his grasp, tearing part of her dress to get free. He could have pursued her. Could have caught her; he knew he could. But that would've made an awful scene; he had a feeling that was precisely what she wanted right now. Best to let her go.
He snatched up his empty goblet, intent on filling it again. "That could've gone better.
A wry pang of amusement echoed in his head from Balerion. "The dragon is young, yet she has her claws."
Naruto pursed his lips. "Oi, oi, don't you go speaking in riddles, too...
"Cousin?"
He turned to find Laena peeking round the corner. A wry smile touched the corner of his mouth. "How much of that did you hear?"
"Enough." she skipped to his side. "She's being a bitch."
Good thing he wasn't drinking. He would've surely spat it out. "You're too young to use that word."
"I'm really not." she giggled. "I'm glad I found you. "I came to say goodbye."
His heart skipped. "What?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow." Laena grinned. "Mother's taking me across the Narrow Sea."
That was news to him. "She is?"
"Mmm." his little cousin nodded. "I want to look for Vhagar. If you can find Balerion then I can find her. I just know I can."
"You think she's over there, somewhere?"
Her head bobbed in agreement. "I know she is."
"And your father's alright with this?"
"Meh." Laena grinned like the girl she was. "Mother's the one who suggested it. He can't say no to her."
Rhaenys? Yes, she certainly had Corlys wrapped around her finger. "Essos is a big place. It might takes years to find her."
An odd look flashed across her dark face. "I can be patient."
"So it would seem." Strange choice of words on her part. "Then good luck, little cousin." Laena looked at him for a long moment. Blast. He just wanted a drink. But that look of hers worried him. "Was there something else you needed?"
"When I come back," she dithered, wringing her hands together, "I'll be a dragon rider. Jut like you. Maybe then...she trailed off. "Maybe...
"Maybe what?"
"Nothing!" She panicked and bolted. "I'll see you soon, cousin!"
Naruto watched her go. "You know what? I'm starting to think this whole family is strange...
Meh, to hell with it. He'd think on it in the morning.
Until then...more wine for him!
A/N: Scene~!
And there we go. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Well? Should this be continue? What say you? Yay or nay! Really need to hear back from you all, here.
If I might suggest a soundtrack for Balerion's entrance, it would be the Targaryen Theme (Epic Version) by Samuel Kim.
As ever, the Embers rule Remains; sad as that may sound, its the truth. If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. Most likely, I'll leave the first chapter up and consign the rest to the void it comes to that. I haven't the time to write something folks don't like. Two jobs keep me terribly busy as such that I have barely any time to write.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Now, then...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly!
And as ever, Le warning!
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Granted, some are pretty far in the future, but still.
(PREVIEW)
"Dracarys!"
"Otto Hightower is a leech. You would do well to be rid of him.
"There you are, nephew."
Alicent was with Viserys and she looked positively pale.
Naruto quirked a brow. "Did something happen?"
"Not at all. There is something I wish to show you. Alicent as well. Both of you. Come."
He led them into his chambers.
He'd left his dagger in a brazier, superheating the steel.
"This dagger once belonged to Aegon the Conqueror. It was Aenar's before that. And before that...well. It is difficult to know. Before Aegon's death, the last of the Valyrian pyromancers hid his song in the steel." He tugged the blade from the brazier held it out for them to read.
Together, the two of them leaned closer to inspect the steel.
"From my blood, come the prince that was promised. And his will be the song of ice and fire...
Why must you always be this way?!"
"Enough!"
Naruto and Rhaenyra exchanged a black look between one another.
"The crown cannot stand strong while the house of the dragon remains divided." Viserys glared at them both. "You will cease this fighting at once. You are family. Do you understand?
"I believe Ser Criston would make a fine member of the Kingsguard."
Naruto pursed his lips. He had a bad feeling about the man, but he had to toss Rhaenyra a bone. It would be pointless to fight over something so trivial. He wouldn't let her rile him.
"You would choose her?!" A goblet bounced off his chest, spattering wine everywhere. "Over me?!"
"I'm not choosing anyone over anyone." he took her by the hands and guided her back to the chair. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about...
Daemon read the note. And he began to laugh. Loudly.
"That boy rides the largest dragon known to man. I won't raise an army against that. It will be the Field of Fire all over again!"
Naruto caught the crossbow bolt in his hand.
"Always loved crossbows." he grinned, considering the barbed shaft. "Never used 'em myself. They take too long to reload. I, on the other hand...
He whirled and flung it back, skewering them in the face. Their corpse pitched back. The others balked.
They were still balking when Balerion swooped down out the clouds and landed beside him.
"Go ahead." he cooed. "Run for it. More fun for us."
She'd found her.
It had taken years, but here at last, she was triumphant. Father couldn't nay-say her now.
Laena grinned like the child she still was at heart. "Found you~!"
Vhagar growled and lifted its head to glower at her, sand sloughing off its back. Fire built in the back of its throat.
"No!" She hissed in angry Valyrian and thrust an open palm forward in the face of its flame. "Obey, Vhagar! Yield to me!"
"Father!"
"Ooomph!" Naruto grunted. "Jeez, you hit hard!"
The boy's mother smiled. "Is it any wonder? Your son takes after you, husband...
"Its not fair." his son sulked. "They're all bigger than me, and they all have dragons. I don't."
"You're young. There's still plenty of time," he sighed as he saw the pained look on his face. "Alright. Come with me."
"What?" the boy balked a little. "Where are we going?"
"To the dragonpit. Where else?" he slung an arm around his shoulder. "We'll enter it together. Today's the day you find yourself a dragon. I've got one in mind...
EDIT: More hints~!
Hope you enjoyed~! =D Looking forward to your feedback!
I'll be sure to chat with you all when I get back from work! Have a great day~!